Ocrevus support

I am on the Genentech patient foundation program and was recently informed that I will no longer qualify under new program criteria, wondering if anyone here has stopped Ocrevus, and how that went? Thank you in advance for your help

[mrsmike]

I've been on Ocrevus for four years now. The last two years I have been on Medicare and they have been covering my infusions. Check it out maybe that will work for you as well. Good luck, let us know what happens.

[Hidden in reply to mrsmike]

Thanks for the feedback, unfortunately medicare won't cover it for me but I am very glad it is working for you, unfortunately Ocrevus is about the only DMT That I have been able to tolerate well and has been very effective for me so we'll see going to talk with neurologist and look at options

[mrsmike in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear that. Don't see why they won't cover it. Hopefully your neurologist will come up with something.

[grammyshay in reply to mrsmike]

My Medicare covers it under Part B because it is an infusion

[kdali]

Makes me wonder if it is going to have a generic version soon, and your health plan may cover all of the cost of a generic. Some have stopped and posted here about it. Many have switched to Kesimpta or Mavenclad and those still have copay assistance programs. The first thing I would do is contact my prescriber and have a chat about options and a time frame.

[Hidden in reply to kdali]

Thank you for your assistance and your seemingly always calm and logical thoughts

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Medicare Advantage does cover my Ocrevus, 80% of it,   Hidden . It does need a prior authorization though. The one thing that I needed to be concerned with is my earned income, with regards to the Genentech Patient Assistance Program. Talk to your neurologist for help to get to the bottom of this. I find that things are getting more complicated these days with regards to health insurance. Hopefully you will be able to sort things out soon.

[Hidden in reply to carolek572]

Thank you for the feedback pretty much just sort of hurry and waiting till I can see my neurologist and discuss options I have found thanks in part to you wonderful folks and what she knows thank you again for your consideration

[Helpmeup]

You might want to consider Kesimpta as an option. It is very similar to Ocrevus, it's a b-cell depleter, except you can take it by self-injecting once a month at home. When I was on Kesimpta, I was enrolled in a very good Novartis assistance program. Hopefully your neuro can help guide you. I get your frustration. There have been a few DMTs over the years that I was doing well on, but had to stop because of lack of financial options. Such a shame it has to be that way!

[Hidden in reply to Helpmeup]

Thank you hadn't really thought about Kesimpta but will run it by neurologist

[Diva1976]

I use to take Ocrevus but decided not to take it anymore. I had realized that my health physically had gotten worse. You can vividly see my struggles when I’m trying to walk. Before Ocrevus I had mobility issues but not this bad.

I too was eventually able to get on the program to cover the medication. Be sure to talk with the assistant who works with your neurologist. They’re usually familiar with other programs that assist with the medication cost as well. I know it’s another program that assisted me before being told about Genentech itself covering it 100%.

Good luck with everything!

[Hidden in reply to Diva1976]

Thanks for your help I appreciate all the kindness this group has shown me

[CatsandCars]

Hi, Formerbikeguy. It sounds weird to me that Medicare won't cover Ocrevus for you, but I'm not privy to the factors that go into that decision. If you exhaust all the possible ways to get help paying for Ocrevus, there are other choices. Helpmeup had a good suggestion with Kesimpta, which is similar. When people have difficulty paying for treatment I like to point out that Aubagio, which is not quite as effective as Ocrevus but still pretty good according to my neurologist, is available as a generic and can be purchased from costplusdrugs.com for a very reasonable price. Tecfidera is also an affordable generic now. It's might be worth asking your doctor about if you can't get the Ocrevus or Kesimpta covered. I really hope you find a good solution that works for you. 😊

Edit, sorry I misunderstood that you didn't qualify for the assistance program, not that Medicare wouldn't cover it!

[Hidden in reply to CatsandCars]

Thank you so much for your assistance and thoughtful caring response, honestly I am overwhelmed with the kindness and support of this community

[Sunnyds]

I switched from Ocrevus to BRIUMVI recently.

It works in exactly the same way: an infusion every six months and B Cell depleting. I tolerated it very well.

FYI, I only had one infusion of Ocrevus and right before my next infusion was due, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and did not want to continue with Ocrevus. The fine print stated that breast cancer was a possible side effect, although my neurologist did not feel the studies bore that out.

Regardless, I was not willing to continue with Ocrevus. Once the cancer treatments were over, my neurologist recommended BRIUMVI, which is quite new. Medicare and my supplement covers everything.

Oh, BTW, I’ve been cancer free for over a year!

Best of luck to you!

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyds]

So glad to hear about cancer free and thanks for the heads-up

[Kitsey]

I have been using Rituxan for years. It’s almost the same as Ocrevus. I got it through Genentech’s program first and now Medicare covers it without any problems. You might want to ask your neurologist if that might be an option for you. I wish you the best in getting a favorable resolution. Please post give an update after you have your doctor appointment.

[Hidden in reply to Kitsey]

Thank you for the feedback I have been very pleased with al the positive feedback and kindness from everyone here

[ahrogers]

I think if the type of Medicare you have doesn't allow copay assistance for Ocrevus, it won't allow it from any drug company. Maybe you can change the plan you are enrolled in to one that allows copay assistance? I bet someone at the neurologists office will know which plans allow it.

This is something I worry about for when I become disabled and end up on Medicare/Medicaid. I am hoping to be able to stay on Ocrevus when that time comes.

[Hidden in reply to ahrogers]

Thank you!

[Sunnyds in reply to ahrogers]

Your comment made me think of something to be aware of once you go on Medicare. Do NOT get a Medicare ADVANTAGE supplement plan!

They are often less expensive and say they cover more. However, when you go to use some services they either deny you, don’t cover it, or give you a hard time. It’s also very tough to switch to a regular Medicare supplement plan once you’re on an advantage plan.

Just go with a straight Medicare supplement.

I have Blue Shield of California GI supplement. It has covered everything with no questions asked!

[RobbIt18]

Hi, I have Medicare and an AARP united healthcare supplement. I pay about $400 per month, but there is no co-pay and it covers the cost of Ocrevus and the infusion center and the related MRIs and bloodwork for PPMS.

[Hidden in reply to RobbIt18]

Thank you for the feedback and kindness you have shown, going to see my neurologist as soon as I can and discuss options

[StephMS]

Hi I’m also on Ocrevus and on Medicare It did cover my last infusion in January- now I’m concerned in July when I am due for my next infusion- I have been on it for 4yrs now and it’s been working great for me ! I will definitely be going to be looking into it !!

[Hidden in reply to StephMS]

Best wishes hope no worries for you

[twooldcrows]

i stopped but i haven't seen anything different ...was scared at first but ha nothing has changed so i guess it was for the good for now i can see my hair coming back in..it had been thinning but just thought was because of my age ...i am 71 ...anyway hope all goes good for you also ...positive thinking for you to do better ...do wish i could ride my bike for it was such good exercise but i always feel as if i am tipping over ,so hoping that maybe when the weather ever stays nice and dry i can try to ride it ...all if good ...take care...lots of laughs and giggles ...i am doing alot of the for we finally had a couple of wonderful sun shinning bright for a couple of days..several days with no snow but now it is doing it again and it has been snowing steady for hours ...ahhahahahhaha....groung hog lied that spring was coming soon ...hahahhahahha...we just keep on keeping on ....love and much happiness in what ever life throws your way filled with loads of fun and laughter....